The
Building Innovation Award received by AROUSAL highlighted "a
superb innovation aimed at stimulating new ways of thinking and of approach…...
the system has pioneered simulation in the building industry, aimed essentially
at organisational and management development, not only in general terms
but also in the context of the firm."

The Windows version of Arousal, originally developed by Ioannis
Fitsakis, exploits many of the most attractive features of Windows.
It has been received with acclaim. Available on CD-ROM, it provides, in
one easy-to-access package, a ready-to-operate simulation system of either
a UK, US or Australian
based firm.

The
success of AROUSAL is due to its foundation on extensive research into:
° practical needs of managers
in the construction industry
° how managers learn and develop
expertise
° what makes an effective
learning experience
° important relationships between
explicit and tacit
knowledge
° critical factors which influence
business
success and
failure
° key relationship between
technical
and
behavioural
effects
° links between strategy
and operations and between
functional areas

In addition, the system
benefits from over 30 years of systematic feedback from users.

However, the
prime reason
for success is that, through sensitive tailoring of learning experiences,
managers are able to familiarise themselves with new and challenging issues.
They develop key conceptual, organisational and technical skills
which enable them to manage better their own work and projects,
and to contribute to the strategic development of their organisations.

"The greatest
learning takes place when managers
are able
to handle new ideas against the back-cloth
of a familiar
business setting"